Timothy Ragas

Blurry photo of a young boy with pale skin, red hair cut into bangs that hang over his eyes. His chin is pointed, and he is smiling, showing a gap between his front teeth. He is wearing a teal polo shirt.Name: Timothy Ragas.
Died: February 9, 2021.
Age at death: 13.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Harvey, Louisiana, USA.
Disability: Autism

Details:
Timothy and his stepbrother Eric Thornblom, 20, were the victims of a murder-suicide. His father called 911, stating that he couldn’t “live like this”, and when police arrived, they found the bodies of Timothy, Eric, and their parents. Police believe the motive had to do with financial trouble and “health problems” in the family.

Case Status:
Deaths declared homicide-suicide perpetrated by either his father alone, or his father and mother together. Both are now deceased.

Sources:
Louisiana community rocked by two apparent murder-suicides just hours apart
‘We can’t continue to live like this’ – Haunting 911 call before family found dead
Family of 4 killed in apparent murder-suicide on West Bank of New Orleans
Louisiana family dead in apparent murder-suicide
Autism Memorial: Timothy Ragas

Hezekiah Pettiford

No Photo
Name: Hezekiah Pettiford.
Died: January 28, 2021.
Age at death: 15.
Cause of death: Head injury.
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Disability: Autism, ADHD.

Details:
Hezekiah was found unresponsive at his home and was taken to the hospital, where he died two days later from a severe head injury. He weighed only 75 pounds, indicative of malnutrition, and his injuries were consistent with chronic child abuse.

Hezekiah loved math, had an extensive vocabulary and enjoyed watching game shows like Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. His favorite movie was Home Alone and he loved eating macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets.

Case Status:
Stefanie Colon (Aunt), found guilty of first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury and two counts of neglecting a minor; sentenced to 4 years.
Dion Ball Sr. (Uncle), convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse; sentenced to 25 years to life.

Sources:
Aunt, uncle charged with abuse, manslaughter in teen’s death
Hezekiah Pettiford – Baltimore, Maryland , Brooks Clinton Funeral Service, P.A. – Memories wall
Focus on preventing child abuse after family members charged in 15-year-old’s death

Karreon Walter-Franks

School photo of a boy with dark skin and very short hair, wearing a black T-shirt.Name: Karreon Walter-Franks.
Died: November 27, 2020.
Age at death: 15.
Cause of death: Starvation, pneumonia.
Location: Vancouver, Washington, USA.
Disability: Autism, developmental delay, visually impaired.

Details:
At the time of his death, Karreon was known to the child welfare system. His aunt reported to social workers that Karreon and his siblings had been starved for years and had to steal food to survive, and that Karreon was emaciated and had collapsed from hunger. His brother told them that Karreon’s mother had hit him with a cane for throwing up. The last contact by child welfare to the home was only a week before Karreon died and the funeral home contacted police because his body weighed only 65 pounds and was in very poor condition.

After his death, Karreon’s two younger siblings were removed from the home.

Case Status:
Felicia Adams (Aunt, adoptive mother), convicted of second-degree murder and homicide by abuse, sentenced to 35 years.
Jesse Franks (Felicia’s husband), convicted of second-degree murder and homicide by abuse, sentenced to 30 years.

Source:
Karreon Franks’ adoptive parents sentenced to decades in prison for his murder
Couple Accused of Starving Blind Adoptive Son to Death Pleads Not Guilty After Turning Themselves In
Trial begins for parents accused of starving Washington teen to death
SW Washington couple deny starving 15-year-old son to death as murder trial nears end
Clark County jury convicts adoptive parents of homicide by abuse, murder in Vancouver boy’s starvation death
Adoptive parents testify in death of disabled Vancouver boy, say they never withheld food as punishment | The Spokesman-Review
Clark County jury convicts parents for starving disabled son to death
Autism Memorial: Karreon Walter-Franks
State records highlight years of suspected abuse in home where Clark County teen died
Couple arrested in Stockton appear in court on murder allegation in starvation case
Washington couple arrested in starvation death of child
Disabled 15-year-old boy dies weighing 65 pounds DAYS after CPS visits adoptive parents’ home: Reports
Parents of Vancouver teen who died from starvation face murder charges; arrest warrants issued
Washington teen’s death ruled homicide due to starvation and neglect
Police: Authorities visited starving teen days before death
Child welfare visited disabled 15-year-old boy DAYS before he died weighing only 65 pounds, court docs reveal

Joseph Hammond

Photo of a smiling boy lying in an adapted swing. He has pale skin and curly brown hair; his face is turned up to the sun.Name: Joseph “JJ” Hammond.
Died: November 3, 2020.
Age at death: 15.
Cause of death: Dehydration, malnutrition.
Location: Moline, Illinois, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy.

Details:
JJ was found dead in his home. An autopsy concluded he had died of dehydration and malnutrition, with several untended large wounds on his body.

Case Status:
Jennifer Keim (Mother), pleaded guilty to criminal abuse, sentenced to 4 years probation.
Justin M Keim (Stepfather), charged with Criminal Abuse or Neglect of a Disabled Person.

Source:
Moline woman sentenced in 2020 death of disabled son
Moline woman pleads guilty in 2020 death of disabled son
Moline mother charged with her son’s murder is out on bond
Moline woman charged with murder in death of disabled 15-year-old son
Moline Mother Arrested On Murder Charges
Woman arrested in connection with murder of 15-year-old disabled son
Additional person charged in relation to Moline first-degree murder case
Two arrested in connection with death of 15-year-old boy with disabilities from Moline
Friends defend Moline woman charged with murder of 15-year-old son

Cadence Langley

Police reconstruction image of a young woman with light skin, brown eyes, and short light-brown hair.Name: Cadence Langley.
Died: October 26, 2020 (Body found).
Age at death: 14.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Graham County, Arizona, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
In Graham County, Arizona, the body of a young woman was found, shot in the head and left in a livestock trough. She remained unidentified for two years. When the body was identified as that of 14-year-old Cadence Langley, police determined that her mother was still receiving disability support payments for Cadence and arrested her. They suspect Cadence’s mother of being involved in the killing and disposal of Cadence’s body.

Case Status:
Amber Langley (Mother), charged with first-degree murder, fraud, and theft.

Sources:
Mother charged with first-degree murder in 2020 Safford cold case killing of autistic daughter
Mother Charged with Pocketing Government Benefits of 14-Year-Old Autistic Daughter Who Was Shot in the Head and Dumped in a Livestock Trough
Woman accused of collecting money for years after daughter with autism was found murdered
Mother of child murdered in 2020 Safford cold case arrested
Unidentified: Cadence Langley
Autism memorial: Cadence Langley

Sayeed Neilson

Sepia-tone photo of a teenage boy with pale skin and fine brown hair; his expression is solemn.Name: Sayeed Neilson.
Died: October 23, 2020.
Age at death: 14.
Cause of death: Trauma.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Sayeed’s stepbrother allegedly punched and kicked him in the head; his mother told his stepbrother to stop, but then walked away without actually checking to make sure he had stopped. They told investigators he had fallen in the shower; but police believed his injuries were “inconsistent with a fall” and brought them in for questioning.

Sayeed loved Star Wars and Halloween. He never missed a day walking his dog Chloe, rain or shine.

Case status:
Rebacca Greenwood (Mother), charged with criminal homicide, aggravated child abuse and evidence tampering.
David Matheny (Stepbrother), charged with criminal homicide, aggravated child abuse and evidence tampering.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Sayeed Neilson
Aunt mourns 14-year-old boy with Asperger’s beaten to death in Hermitage home
‘It Was Like Reign Of Terror’: Man Accused Of Beating His Autistic 14-Year-Old Brother To Death
Vigil for teen with Autism killed by family members
‘Reign of terror’: Slaying of Nashville 14-year-old involving brother, mother leaves relatives reeling
Aunt mourns 14-year-old boy with Asperger’s beaten to death in Tennessee home
Mother, stepbrother charged with homicide in death of autistic 14-year-old boy
Tenn. mother, stepbrother charged in death of autistic 14-year-old

David Almond

David Almond, a teenage boy, sits in a car and smiles for the camera. He is wearing a winter scarf and heavy gray parka. His hair is dark and very short, and his skin is pale brown.Name: David Almond.
Died: October 21, 2020.
Age at death: 14.
Cause of death: Malnutrition.
Location: Fall River, Massachusetts, USA.
Disability: Intellectual disability, autism.

Details:
David and his two brothers, a set of triplets, were all neglected and abused by their father and his girlfriend. Child services was called, and the brothers spent time living outside their home; but eventually two of the boys were returned to their father. David died, malnourished and with fentanyl, a powerful opiate, in his system. His caregivers were arrested and his triplet brother and toddler half-brother were rescued.

At school, David had been a happy boy with a good sense of humor. His schoolmates described him as the “mayor” of the school. He was good at reading and took pride in this ability. He participated in school plays. He and his brothers had invented their own language to communicate between them. David liked cartoons, toys, and video games.

Case Status:
New Report Focuses on Concerns for Child Safety
John Michael Almond (Father), charged with second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury, reckless endangerment of a child, and drug possession; convicted, sentenced to 20 years to life.
Jaclyn Marie Coleman (Father’s girlfriend), pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and neglect of a disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury, reckless endangerment of a child, and drug possession; sentenced to 20 years to life.

Source:
Fall River woman pleads guilty, sentenced to life in David Almond’s abuse and death
Fall River man pleads guilty in 14-year-old son’s 2020 death
Fall River man pleads guilty in teenage son’s death
State Rep. Fiola, State Senator Rodrigues host dedication ceremony for Fall River autistic teen who died of starvation, neglect
David Almond died nearly two years ago. A newly dedicated memorial grove will honor him.
Autism Memorial: David Almond
MA report: Sweeping changes made in wake of David Almond death, services for brothers monitored
‘I don’t want people to forget’: One year later, vigil will remember David Almond
Vigil planned to mark one year anniversary of death of 14-year-old Fall River autistic boy
Visible injuries, scrubbing floors with a toothbrush: Shocking details from the Almond report
DCF, School Could Have Done More to Prevent Fall River Teen’s Death: Report
Investigation into death of Mass. boy found living in filth finds ‘multi-system failure,’ serious errors from DCF
Mass. Child Advocate identifies multi-system failure prior to death of Fall River teen with special needs
Fall River couple indicted in teen’s death
Fall River couple accused in starvation death of 14-year-old autistic teen due in court Monday
Rep. Fiola calls for answers in death of autistic Fall River boy
Judge orders couple held for 120 days in death of autistic boy
Death of 14-year-old Fall River boy under investigation; couple faces neglect charges
Mass. Horror Home: Teen Dead, Brother ‘Alarmingly Emaciated,’ Prosecutors Say
Two charged with child abuse and neglect after death of autistic teen in Fall River
Father, girlfriend charged in death of special needs Fall River teen allegedly found with fentanyl in system
Death of 14-year-old boy under investigation; Evidence of drugs, neglect of teen’s brother, police say

12-year-old girl

No PhotoName Unknown.
Died: October 17, 2020.
Age at death: 12.
Cause of death: Decapitation.
Location: Moti Bhakhar, Dantiwada tehsil, Gujarat, India.
Disability: Deaf.

Details:
This twelve-year-old girl was raped and murdered by her cousin.

Case status:
Nitin Mali (Cousin), convicted of murder, sentenced to death.

Source:
Guj: Man sentenced to death for rape and murder of 11-year-old, deaf-mute cousin
Disabled girl, 12, raped and beheaded ‘by her cousin’ in latest horrific murder to rock India
12-year-old differently-abled girl raped, beheaded by cousin in Gujarat’s Banaskantha
Disabled girl raped & BEHEADED ‘by her cousin’ in latest murder to rock India
12-Year-Old Deaf Girl Raped & Beheaded in Gujarat

Kaylea Titford

Photo of a heavyset teeange girl with light skin and brown hair tied back. She is smiling, and wearing a burgundy hoodie.Name: Kaylea Titford.
Died: October 11, 2020.
Age at death: 16.
Cause of death: Infected bedsores.
Location: Newtown, Powys, Wales, UK.
Disability: Spina bifida, hydrocephalus.

Details:
Kaylea died from “inflammation and infection in extensive areas of ulceration arising from obesity and its complications in a girl with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.” Kaylea’s parents kept her in her room, in filthy conditions. They fed her take-out, and did not help her into her wheelchair, so that she was forced to remain immobile and stranded in her bedroom. Kaylea gained weight steadily, and her parents then did not address the pressure sores that resulted when she was left for a long time in the same position.

Kaylea was a talented wheelchair basketball player. Friends remember her as “fiercely independent”.

Case Status:
Alun Titford (Father), found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person, sentenced to 10 years.
Sarah Lloyd-Jones (Mother), pleaded guilty to gross negligence manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person, sentenced to 8 years.

Sources:
Parents’ jail terms for manslaughter of disabled teenage daughter increased
Parents jailed for killing disabled teenage daughter
Inside the filthy home where disabled 23st girl was left to die
Kaylea Titford’s parents jailed for manslaughter after disabled girl’s death
Kaylea Titford: Father jailed for more than 7 years over obese daughter’s manslaughter – as mother gets 6 years
Parents sentenced for gross negligence manslaughter of their teenage daughter | The Crown Prosecution Service
Father found guilty of killing disabled daughter (16) by letting her become obese
Father of obese teen found dead in ‘misery’ guilty of manslaughter
How the abhorrent neglect of a vulnerable teen was hidden from the outside world
Obese teenager’s father guilty of her death in squalid family home
Father guilty of manslaughter after vulnerable daughter dies from obesity
Tragic teenager’s dad found guilty over her death in squalid conditions
Kaylea Titford: how ‘fiercely independent’ Welsh teenager ended up dying in bed
Father of obese teenager found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence
Father let daughter down because he was lazy, court hears
A disabled teenager found dead with maggots and flies on her body was the victim of alleged parental neglect, court hears
Parents ‘killed girl, 16, found dead in squalor by letting her weight hit 23st’
Kaylea Titford: Morbidly obese teen died in conditions ‘unfit for any animal’ after parents ‘seriously neglected her’, court hears
Mum admits killing daughter, 16, by allowing her to become severely overweight
Welsh parents deny being responsible for their disabled daughter’s death
Parents accused of killing disabled daughter to go on trial next year
Parents accused of killing disabled girl who became morbidly obese to face trial
Trial for parents accused of killing daughter by allowing her to become obese
Trial date given for parents accused of killing disabled teen daughter
Mum faces court over death of disabled daughter ‘after letting her become obese’
Man and woman charged with manslaughter after death of 16-year-old girl
Parents charged with killing disabled teen by letting her become morbidly obese
Kaylea Titford: Parents of obese girl charged with causing her death
Police investigating after teen girl found dead at home
Mum found daughter, 16, dead in bed as two people arrested in police probe

Ryu Sakayama

No Photo
Name: Ryu Sakayama.
Died: July 17, 2020.
Age at death: 17.
Cause of death: Strangulation.
Location: Kyoto, Japan.
Disability: Unspecified mental disability.

Details:
Ryu’s mother strangled him as he slept. She told police she was tired of caring for him.

Case status:
Ayano Sakayama (Mother), convicted and sentenced to 2 years, suspended for 3 years.

Source:
Woman gets suspended sentence for killing mentally disabled son
Mom arrested for allegedly choking disabled son to death in west Japan
Woman arrested over death of mentally disabled son